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KSU works to increase number of women in STEM fields (Marietta Daily Journal)

Dr. Roneisha Worthy, a civil engineering professor at Kennesaw State University,
helps South Paulding High School junior Kimberlee Rosemond put on a lab coat during
KSU’s Scientista recruiting event Monday. The event aimed to recruit more females
to enter STEM careers. (Photo by MaryKate McGowan)

"Scientista" recruitment event draws area high schoolers to campus

By MaryKate McGowan

MARIETTA — Kennesaw State University hosted a recruiting event Monday to increase
the number of women majoring in science, technology, engineering and math — STEM —
fields.

Women make up about 29 percent of the number of KSU students who major in STEM fields,
according to the university.

Over the past five school years, the number of women majoring in STEM fields at KSU
has increased by more than 1,000 students from 2,391 in fall of 2012 to 3,456 this
past fall, according to KSU.

STEM majors include engineering, statistics and chemistry.

More than 60 female high school students attended the “Scientista” recruitment event,
including Kennesaw Mountain High School sophomore Joi Butler, who wants to be an engineer.

The event allowed the girls to see themselves as capable of pursuing STEM majors through
participating in lectures and hands-on activities, said Renee Butler, the assistant
dean for the Southern Polytechnic College of Engineering and Engineering Technology
at KSU.

Butler said having more women in STEM careers benefits everyone as women address issues
and projects with different perspectives, priorities and experiences.

“Having more diverse groups work on problems leads to better solutions,” she said.

Joi, 15, said more girls should pursue STEM majors and careers because they tend to
think more outside-of-the-box than men.

“Sometimes women don’t really think about the box. They think about different shapes
outside the box,” she said. The event included a student panel of KSU female students
majoring in STEM fields and a panel of women who work in STEM careers, including Lisa
Olens, who works in the business development sector of Georgia Power. She is also
married to KSU President Sam Olens.

During a Cobb Legislative Delegation meeting in December, Sam Olens said KSU’s Marietta
campus — the former Southern Polytechnic State University — has a shortage of female
students and faculty. Olens said KSU needs to create a welcoming environment by increasing
the number of female students on the STEMheavy Marietta campus. He said a female high
school student walking on that campus who hardly sees any women is more likely to
go to another institution.

Monday, the prospective students were also broken into groups based on the major they
are interested in pursuing. Those interested in majoring in chemistry and biology
participated in an interactive lecture about the flu virus, and potential engineers
— including Joi — created water filtration systems with water bottles and sand.

KSU students were also on hand to answer the younger girls’ questions.

One of those students, biology major Bening Hellriegel, said talking with an older
student would have helped her decide on her major and career path sooner, so she volunteered
to help the younger students.

A leader in innovative teaching and learning, Kennesaw State University offers more than 150 undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees to its more than 35,000 students. With 13 colleges on two metro Atlanta campuses, Kennesaw State is a member of the University System of Georgia and the third-largest university in the state. The university's vibrant campus culture, diverse population, strong global ties and entrepreneurial spirit draw students from throughout the region and from 92 countries across the globe. A Carnegie-designated doctoral institution, it is one of the 50 largest public institutions in the country. For more information, visit kennesaw.edu.